Normal Birth Milestones
2 month old infant
Physical and motor-skill markers:
Closure of posterior fontanelle (soft spot at the back of the head)
Several newborn reflexes , such as the dance reflex (baby appears to dance or step when
placed upright on solid surface)and grasp reflex (grasping a finger), disappear
Less head lag
When on stomach, able to lift head almost 45 degrees
Less flexing of the arms and legs while on stomach
4-month-old infant
Gross motor skill
Show a slowing of weight gain to approximately 20 grams per day
Demonstrate the fading of the infant reflexes (Moro reflex , asymmetric tonic neck reflex,
rooting reflex, and Perez reflex)
Have almost no head lag while in a sitting position
Be able to sit up straight if propped
Raise head 90 degrees when placed on stomach
Be able to roll from front to back
Fine motor skills
Try to reach objects with hands (may commonly overshoot)
Play with rattle when it's placed in the hands, but won't be able to pick it up if dropped
Be able to grasp rattle with both hands
Be able to place objects in mouth
6 month old infant
Physical and motor-skill markers:
Able to bear almost all weight when supported in a standing position
Able to hold own bottle (but many babies won't do it, or will do it only for short periods)
Able to lift chest and head while on stomach, bearing the weight on hands (often occurs
by 4 months)
Able to roll from back to stomach
Able to sit in a high chair with a straight back'
Beginning of teething
Increased drooling
Should have doubled birth weight (birth weight often doubles by 4 months, and it would
be cause for concern if this hasn't happened by 6 months)
Fine motor skills
Able to pick up a dropped object
9 month old infant
Physical and motor skills:-
Gains weight at a slower rate -- approximately 15 grams per day, 1 pound per month
Increases in length by 1.5 centimeters per month
Becomes more regulated in bowel and bladder systems
Shows parachute reflex to protect self from falling
Is able to crawl
Remains sitting for prolonged periods
Pulls self to standing position
Fine motor skills
Has a pincer grasp between thumb and index finger
Feeds self
Throws or shakes objects
12 months infant
PHYSICAL AND MOTOR SKILLS
The 12-month-old child is expected to:
Triple the birth weight
Grow to a height of 50% over birth length
Have a head circumference equal that of the chest
Have 6 - 8 teeth
Have a nearly-closed anterior fontanel (the front soft spot on the head)
No longer have a Babinski reflex (although it may be present in children up to age 2)
Pull to stand and walk with help or alone
Sit down without help
Bang 2 blocks together
Fine motor skills
Turn through pages of a book by flipping many at a time
Have a precise pincer grasp
Points to objects with index finger
2 year old:-
Motor skills
Walks alone
Pulls toys behind her while walking
Carries large toy or several toys while walking
Begins to run
Stands on tiptoe
Kicks a ball
Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted
Walks up and down stairs holding on to support
Hand and Finger Skills
Scribbles spontaneously
Turns over container to pour out contents
Builds tower of four blocks or more
Might use one hand more frequently than the other
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS:-
Diagnosis is made on the basis of medical , family and environmental history. A discreete
assessment with the help milestone markers helps in understanding the physical and mental age.
Tests may include:
Blood tests (such as a CBC or blood differential )
Hormone studies
Stool studies (to check for malabsorption)
X-rays to determine bone age and to look for fractures
TREATMENT:- There is almost never a specific medicine or surgical procedure that will
correct developmental delay. The most important thing a parent can do for a delayed child is
provide a loving and stimulating environment. To assist you in providing appropriate exercises
and stimulation for your child Physioline recommends:-
Physioline‘s exercise and therapy programme uses a neurological approach to
physiotherapy and aims:
To reduce spasticity and encourage more normal movements.
To improve motor and cognitive skills
To control and co-ordinate movement patterns.
To keep muscles strong and strengthen those are weak.
To keep joints mobile and prevent stiffness becoming permanent.
To improve co-ordination and balance.
To help improve gait, balance and flexibility
Improve aerobic activity and movement initiation
To improve circulation, thereby supporting bodily functions.
Regain functional abilities and overall independence
a Developmental Baby Exercise Program for:
Improved strength, balance, coordination (Motor Skills)
Infant's development physically, cognitively, emotionally
The prevention of delayed infant development